Retzner and Nichols: Indiana’s new advance health care directive
On July 1, Indiana significantly broadened the options for an individual to make health care wishes known through an “Advance Directive for Health Care Decisions.”
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Dible: New, flexible methods available for signing Indiana wills
House Enrolled Act 1255 (P.L. 185-2021) added new signing methods for wills, effective April 29, with no “sunset” date and no dependence on any current or future public health emergency.
Op-ed: Mears: Federal law is an important step in improving hate crimes investigations
Crimes of violence leave victims and families devastated, confused and angry. When the crime is motivated by hate, the impact can be far greater, leaving entire communities in fear.
Proposed redistricted maps have ‘extreme levels of partisan bias,’ but overturning them will be difficult
Indiana’s new legislative and congressional maps will likely be on their way to getting the governor’s signature by Oct. 1, and many may be wondering what comes next.
Biden, Congress face big week for agenda, government funding
It’s a consequential week for President Joe Biden’s agenda, as Democratic leaders delicately trim back his $3.5 trillion “Build Back Better” package to win over remaining lawmakers and work to quickly pass legislation to avoid a federal shutdown.
Indiana’s efforts in civic education part of national conversation
Indiana’s new civic education law will be showcased during the second day of a national civic education policy summit hosted by CivXNow, which is bringing legislators, educators and civic leaders from across the country together to discuss ways to improve children’s understanding of democracy.
Web Exclusive: Study committee tackling juvenile justice, appointed counsel, human trafficking
With the 2022 Indiana legislative session approaching, members of the Indiana General Assembly are taking a deeper dive into issues facing the justice system.
Indiana legislators eye Texas abortion law but not this year
Indiana’s Republican-dominated Legislature has approved numerous abortion restrictions over the past decade but its top leaders said Thursday it won’t hurry to adopt legislation patterned after a new Texas law that bans most abortions.
St. Joseph Judge Hostetler certified as senior judge
A former St. Joseph Superior Court judge has been granted senior judge status following his retirement.
Young women appointed to Children’s Commission to serve as voice for youth
Two young women have been selected to serve as the voice of Indiana’s youth in foster care and social services and will be the newest — and youngest — members of the Commission on Improving the Status of Children Indiana.
State, abortion providers take home wins, losses in wide-ranging abortion ruling
In an expansive decision detailing the “global assault” on numerous facets of Indiana’s abortion regulation scheme, a federal judge has struck down numerous Indiana abortion limits, such as those restricting telemedicine consultations between doctors and women seeking abortions. Other Hoosier abortion regulations, however, have been upheld, including those requiring an 18-hour delay between a patient’s receipt of required materials and her abortion procedure, as well as an ultrasound requirement.
Rokita loses first attempt at Indiana Supreme Court to stop governor’s lawsuit against General Assembly
The Indiana Supreme Court has denied Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s emergency petition to halt a trial court from continuing proceedings in the governor’s lawsuit against the Legislature.
Divided 7th Circuit reverses for Indiana over ‘abortion complications’ reporting statute
An Indiana statute requiring medical providers to report to the state complications “arising from” abortions is not unconstitutionally vague on its face, a split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a Monday reversal. A dissenting judge, however, would uphold the injunction against the “incomprehensible” law.
Congress passes bill to fund Capitol security, Afghan visas
Congress overwhelmingly passed emergency legislation Thursday that would bolster security at the Capitol, repay outstanding debts from the violent Jan. 6 insurrection and increase the number of visas for allies who worked alongside Americans in the Afghanistan war.
Report: Hate crime laws lack uniformity across the US
More than half a century since they were modernized, hate crime laws in the U.S. are inconsistent and provide incomplete methods for addressing bias-motivated violence, according to a new report by advocates for better protections.
Justices accepting briefs in AG’s bid to stop Holcomb’s lawsuit against General Assembly
The Indiana Supreme Court is calling for briefs in the attorney general’s bid to stop proceedings in the governor’s lawsuit against the Indiana General Assembly.
Indiana businesses urge Congress to pass LGBTQ protections
More than 100 Indiana businesses are urging Congress to pass legislation stalled in the Senate that would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ people, saying in a letter that “discrimination is bad for business.”
Should Congress amend online immunity for Big Tech? No perfect answer
Signing into your preferred social media platform is usually simple. But what if you’ve been blocked temporarily — or permanently — after posting content that caused a stir? That’s the heart of a current political battle over Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Senate leader lends clout to marijuana legalization push
The Senate’s top Democrat is backing a bill that would strike down a longstanding federal prohibition on marijuana, embracing a proposal that has slim chance of becoming law yet demonstrates growing public support for decriminalizing the drug.
State reports slight increase in Indiana abortions for 2020
The number of abortions performed in Indiana grew slightly last year, with a new state report showing that drug-induced abortions made up a majority of the procedures for the first time.